Penclawdd take West Wales Womens’ & Girls’ League Cup Final glory

Above: Penclawdd with the West Wales Womens and Girls’ League Cup. Photo: Perry Dobbins.

Penclawdd 4-2 Johnstown

Report and photo gallery from Perry Dobbins (18/5/22)

This match was one of four matches played at the Old Road Welfare Ground, Briton Ferry which included the under 14’s, under 15’s, and under 16’s league cup finals.

In the Ladies Final, the first of eight goals came within the first three minutes through Jenkins for Johnstown, this lead lasted nearly to half time with Davies equalising one minute before the break.

Three minutes following the re-start Hambleton made it 2-1 to Penclawdd with Davies providing the assist and with Davies scoring again on 52 minutes and Bibb on 55 minutes the match was being stretched away from Johnstown.

Johnstown did score on 69 minutes through an unknown scorer to make it 4-2 but it was only to be a consolation as Davies completed her hat trick with a penalty on 74 minutes.  

Perry Dobbins’ photo gallery from the West Wales Womens’ & Girls’ League Cup Final:
Above: The Johnstown squad that played in the West Wales Womens’ & Girls’ League Cup Final. Photo: Perry Dobbins.

West Ham United v Chelsea Photo Gallery

Chris Myatt was pitchside at the Chigwell Construction Stadium to capture all the action from last night’s WSL London derby (18/5/23).

Above: Chelsea’s Sam Kerr might not have been on the scoresheet, but her teammates hit four to top the table. Photo: Chris Myatt for Impetus.

West Ham United 0-4 Chelsea

Chelsea went two points clear at the top of the WSL after a comfortable win at West Ham United last night, extending the East London side’s losing streak to 10 league games.

Niamh Charles put the visitors ahead just before the quarter-hour mark, and it would remain that way until the break. Three minutes into the second period, Pernille Harder doubled the advantage with Sophie Ingle making the game safe with 26 minutes left. Erin Cuthbert completed the rout three minutes into stoppage time.

West Ham have not won in the WSL since December, but for Chelsea, they know that a win over Arsenal on Sunday, and defeat for Manchester United in their derby with City would clinch a fourth straight WSL title.

Chris Myatt’s exclusive photo gallery from the Chigwell Construction Stadium for Impetus:

We welcome Chris Myatt to Impetus. To find out more about him and the rest of our contributors based worldwide, click on this link: https://impetusfootball.org/about-our-contributors/

Teams: WEST HAM UNITED (5-3-2): Arnold, Shimizu, Fisk, Cissoko, Tysiak, Smith, Evans, Parker, Longhurst, Brynjarsdottir, Asseyi. Substitutes used: Snerle (for Tysiak 55′), Thestrup (for Evans 65′), Hayashi (for Brynjarsdottir 65′), Atkinson (for Asseyi 81′).

CHELSEA (4-2-3-1): Musovic, Carter, Buchanan, Eriksson, Charles, Ingle, Fleming, Rytting Kaneryd, Cancovic, Harder, Kerr. Substitutes used: Cuthbert (for Fleming 69′), James (for Cankovic 69′), Reiten (for Harder 69′), Svitkova (for Kerr 81′), Abdullina (for Charles 81′).

Scorers: Charles 13′, Harder 48′, Ingle 64′, Cuthbert 90+3′.

Referee: Louise Sanders.

Attendance: 1,373.

Everton v Arsenal Photo Gallery

Karl Vallantine was pitchside at Walton Hall Park to capture all the best of the action in a vital midweek WSL match (18/5/23).

Above: Caitlin Foord (centre), who hit two goals on her first start for Arsenal after injury. Photo: Karl Vallantine for Impetus.

Everton 1-4 Arsenal

Arsenal took a major step towards Champions League qualification with a commanding win at Everton.

Matildas star Caitlin Foord made her first start since returning from injury and made an immediate impact scoring two of the Gunners’ goals. However, this positive news was laced with another of Jonas Eidevall’s team suffering a serious injury as Lia Walti was caught by Aggie Beever-Jones and stretchered off with the Everton teenager receiving a red card as a consequence.

Foord’s brace was part of a flurry of four goals in a 13-minute spell. The former Sydney FC star struck her first when dispatching Noell Maritz’s pass into the bottom corner. Katie McCabe doubled the North London side’s lead five minutes later with a shot from distance.

Foord dispatched her second just six minutes later heading in after Toffees’ keeper Emily Ramsey produced a save from Stina Blackstenius’ effort. Lotte Wubben-Moy’s header completed Arsenal’s scoring three minutes before the break. Katja Snoeijs nodded home a consolidation for the hosts near the end.

Arsenal are now three points clear of Manchester City in third place – the final Champions League spot – but this weekend sees a major test as the top four face each other. Arsenal travel to Kingsmeadow to face leaders Chelsea, and there is a Manchester derby, both matches taking place on Sunday.

Karl Vallantine’s exclusive photo gallery for Impetus from Walton Hall Park:

Team: EVERTON (3-4-1-2): Ramsey, K. Holmgaard, Bjorn, S. Holmgaard, Sorensen, Wheeler, Galli, Veje, Bennison, Beever-Jones, Snoeijs. Substitutes used: Sevecke (for Galli 45′), Hope (for Veje 62′), Stenevik (for S. Holmgaard 63′), Finnigan (for Sorensen 73′), Christiansen (for K. Holmgaard 73′).

Scorer: Snoeijs 86′.

ARSENAL (3-4-2-1): Zinsberger, Wubben-Moy, Beattie, Carvalho Souza, Maritz, Maanum, Walti, McCabe, Pelova, Foord, Blackstenius. Substitutes used: Taylor (for Carvalho Souza 45′), Kuhl (for Walti 54′), Queiroz Costa (for Foord 67′), Catley (for McCabe 89′), Godfrey (for Blackstenius 90′).

Scorers: Foord 29′, 39′. McCabe 33′, Wubben-Moy 42′.

Referee: Cheryl Foster.

Attendance: 1,350.

Cup Final joy for Needham Market

Needham Market 6-0 Bungay Town

by Darrell Allen (17/5/23)

Above: Needham Market’s two-goal hero Mia Etheridge celebrates after scoring in the final last night. Photo: Hannah Parnell for Impetus.

Eastern Region Premier Division side Needham Market secured the Suffolk Women’s Cup on Tuesday night at Colchester United’s JobServe Community Stadium with victory over a Bungay Town side who play two tiers lower in the Norfolk Women and Girls’ League Division One.

Fine first half

The pre-match expectation was that Needham Market were strong favourites with score predications as high as a 15-0 win for the tier five side. Therefore, Bungay Town really had nothing to lose.

As expected, Needham Market dominated the ball all evening but early chances from Ellie Rossiter, Eva Hubbard, and Paige Wakefield were wasted. Bungay and the crowd began to sense this may not be the walk in the park that was billed. One of Bungay’s biggest threats is the former Ipswich Town star, Zoe Cossey and it was clear from the off she had the quality to make Needham think. For good measure, Cossey had two shots on target of her own in the opening half.

Mia Etheridge broke Bungay’s resistance on 25 minutes after receiving a brilliant ball from Wakefield but that was all the favourites could manage in the opening half as Bungay stood firm.

A fatal fifteen

Knowing what had happened in last year’s final and having had the half-time break to regroup, what followed at the beginning of the second half was something special from Warren Lewis-Claxton’s team.

Four goals between the restart and the hour mark quickly did away with any thought this might be a contest and gave the tier five team clear daylight. A calm finish from Nicole Pannifer from the edge of the box got it going before Eva Hubbard made it three. The game’s stand-out moment then followed as Lina Nagib struck a thunderbolt of a ball into the net in stunning fashion.

Ellie Rossiter then smashed past the keeper to make it a fifth different goalscorer and round off a fatal fifteen minutes from a Bungay perspective. It had gone from 1-0 to 5-0 in a flash and now for Darren Renwick and his team, it was all about keeping a positive attitude from the remaining half an hour to ensure this didn’t end up embarrassing in terms of the scoreline.

Fantastic Flatman

In a cup final where one team is regarded as a clear favourite, the person who has the hardest job is often the goalkeeper of the underdog. Maddie Flatman in goal for Bungay Town was exceptional, particularly during the first half period where she stood firm to deny Rossitter, Hubbard, Wakefield, and others.

After the fatal fifteen where the game slipped beyond them, Flatman continued to be a shining light as she made repeated saves to keep the score respectable, and only a second goal of the evening from Mia Etheridge was let past her in the final half an hour on the 81st minute. After how the second half had started, it was a performance to be proud of for the keeper.

Leading by example

Bungay’s captain Charnelle Riggall deserved this night so much. The smile as she led her team out at the Jobserve Community Stadium in Colchester, the joy as she came off at half time knowing her team had rattled their superior hosts and the pride as she led her team up for the runners-up medals were three truly special sights to witness.

History makers Bungay Town who were in the Suffolk Women’s Cup final for the first time in their history conducted the evening in such a way that was a credit to Norfolk and Suffolk football, their club, and most importantly themselves. For Riggall, after many years building this project at Bungay Town this was a night that meant so much. They really did put the club properly on the map on Suffolk FA’s big night of the year.

A true team effort

Market backed by around 300 supporters including a drum from their regular goalkeeper who was cup tied. The atmosphere from the drum and supporters sounded more like 3,000. Needham Market is a proud institution as former players and friends of the club backed them in numbers and roared them on to success. It was a great family feeling for Darren Renwick’s team too as Renwick himself had his family occupying the technical area with him to enjoy a landmark day for him and his team.

A fabulous occasion

Roared on by 399 spectators, Needham Market and Bungay Town delivered an unforgettable occasion. Whilst, as expected that Warren Lewis-Claxton and his team won comfortably, Bungay Town made them think and have to really have a big half-time talk. Fifteen dominant minutes from the tier five side where they went up the gears and blew Bungay Town aside was the difference.

The Suffolk FA and Colchester United ran a brilliant evening and it really feels like this is the perfect home for such an occasion as all the recent finals have been so well staged. For Needham Market, this was the case of getting the job done which they did by turning on the style when they needed. Whilst for Bungay Town this was all about history and making themselves proud. Both clubs went home very happy and proud of their evening’s work. It was a night of joy and a great football occasion.

Teams: NEEDHAM MARKET: Gibbs, Pannifer, Hubbard, Bloomfield, Catchpole, Rossiter, Balfour, Etheridge, Nagib, Hall, Wakefield, Substitutes: McGarth, Brawn, Sharp, Nunn, Thomas.

Scorers: Etheridge 25′, 81′. Pannifer 47′, Hubbard 51′, Nagib 53′, Rossiter 58′.

BUNGAY TOWN: Flatman, Renwick, Roos, Flatt, Galer, Riggall, Rowland, Hood, Foster, Cossey, Goulder. Substitutes: Purling, Serghiou, Fenn, Leeks, Adams.

Referee: Tom Ling.

Attendance: 399.

“It’s absolute rubbish to say that women’s football has never had it better”

Janet Mitchell, chairwoman of Impetus’ partner club Chorley, who play in the tier four FA Women’s National League speaks to Ben Gilby about the harsh realities of financial impact for clubs beneath the top two leagues of the English pyramid (17/5/23).

Above: Chorley (sky blue) taking on Newcastle United in the FA Women’s National League Division One North this season. The two clubs are cut from very different cloth. Photo Via Chorley Women.

Since the European Championship Final, the mainstream media have run countless articles on the explosion of the women’s game. Massively increased crowds, visibility, and recognition of players. Yet beneath the top level of the game, all is far from well.

In tier four alone this season, two clubs – Wymondham Town and Hounslow – failed to complete the campaign and folded. Wymondham were a club that experienced sustained success in regional-level football, but just over six weeks into their debut season in tier four, posted on their Twitter feed that they had to withdraw from the FA Women’s National League Division One South-East due to losing “a number of players during the summer, two retiring, and a number of players out with longer-term injuries.”

These are the stories that no one in the mainstream media seem to be aware of. The Lionesses’ won the Euros, crowds are significantly rising in the WSL and Champions League, so everything is great in women’s football in their view.

Chorley are another club that are trying to ride out the storm of being a tier-four club. Non-aligned to any men’s club, the Lancashire club have been punching above its weight impressively for years, but as chairwoman Janet Mitchell revealed, it’s getting harder and harder.

“In my opinion based on my experience, it’s worse than ever financially. We have seen £0 more investment in the club yet prices for all our facilities (for which we don’t own our own) have gone up.

“Frankly, it’s absolute rubbish that women’s football has never had it better, obviously the WSL is seeing record attendances which is all well and good, but for the FA Women’s National League (FAWNL) and below nothing has changed apart from price raises and raised expectations. 

Above: Chorley celebrate during their superb FA Cup run last season. Photo via Chorley Women.

“It’s fantastic that our Lionesses are getting the limelight and deservedly so but, the reality at tier four is that the younger players coming into the game now expect a lot more than the reality; we’ve had players/parents whose expectation is that they would be paid at this level, which may be true with some teams but for clubs like ours this has become a real concern in terms of being able to compete financially with other teams.”

Whilst the FA point to the achievements of the Lionesses, the guarantee of extra PE time and access to football for girls at school, the assistance given to clubs like Chorley, for Dawson, is lacking.

“I think they are aware (of how hard it is), but I don’t think much is being done to help. Funding is being made available to clubs that either own their own ground (I know of one women’s club that has its own facility) or have a three to 10-year tenure at a ground. This is unrealistic for many women’s clubs.

“The FAWNL has released a ‘Minimum Standards’ strategy for 2024/25 which in theory is absolutely fantastic as it means clubs at tier four will have really decent facilities for games but we (like several others) don’t have that option without a serious amount of money coming our way, it’s a real concern to us how we are going to meet these targets and if we can’t, what will happen to us.”

I asked the Chorley chairwoman if she was in a position to discuss the situation with the FA’s Director of Women’s Football, Baroness Sue Campbell, what would be the most urgent points you would wish to put to her and what would be the most important immediate things she could do to help.

For Dawson, it comes down to a redistribution of funding: “More money to be put into grassroots; bottom-up funding rather than top down. Women’s clubs need their own facilities. It’s about time we saw money being put into the right places. There are at least eight women’s and girls’ clubs in a little town like Chorley, yet none of them have a home.

“Most of us are using a men’s ground for matches and training at schools and leisure centres; there aren’t enough pitches to cope with the demand.  If a women’s and girls ‘Hub’ was built in a town like Chorley it would be packed out and could only be a positive in the community.

Above: Youngsters from Chorley-based Euxton Girls walk out with their heroes last season. Photo via Chorley Women.

In terms of aiding lower-level clubs, the FA would point to increased prize money in the FA Cup this year as an example of how they support clubs below the top two tiers of the women’s game. However, even the reality of that doesn’t come close to helping to pay the bills in the same way it can for lower-level men’s teams.

“There is absolutely no denying that the increase in the FA Cup prize money has been good for clubs,” said Dawson. “But it’s unlikely most grassroots clubs will earn more than £1-£4,000 and in reality, that wouldn’t even cover one of our training facility costs for the season!”

On top of the funding issues for lower-level clubs, the financial climate around the cost of living crisis is also having an impact, but Chorley’s chairwoman believes the major issue is that grassroots clubs cannot keep up with the demands placed on them in the face of the growth of interest in the game.

“The cost of living crisis has had a very negative impact in terms of literally all our costs rising, but I don’t think it’s the main influencer. The main issue is that the game is growing exponentially and clubs just can’t keep up in terms of the demands being put on them, financially and structurally.

“There are more and more women’s and girls clubs being formed which on one hand is absolutely amazing but on the other it’s too quick and there just simply isn’t the structure in place for it nor it seems the finances to support it.”

As a consequence of the financial pressures, it is becoming increasingly rare for women’s teams not aligned with men’s clubs to prosper as they did in the past. In the last month, Crawley Wasps, who have been at tier three for several years have just announced that they are merging with a men’s club. Dawson believes that the impact of this on clubs, like her own, which are non-aligned, is hugely challenging.

“This is something which I am very passionate about. If you look at our league alone you will see that the teams who have merged with their male counterparts tend to have the most financial power and in turn the most appeal to players.

“I don’t think it’s any secret that teams in our league, for example, Newcastle United, are offering their players packages we could only dream of. I don’t have any issues with clubs merging it makes good financial sense if the offer is right but what concerns me is that it appears that it is the only way women’s clubs can progress to higher levels.

“Where are the women’s clubs? Surely the game is big enough now for investment in women’s clubs or at least absolutely 50/50 shared facilities where men’s and women’s teams are true equals?  There must be lots of towns (like Chorley) that have the ability to create a women’s club; where is the money/interest for that.

Chorley are a self-funded, independent club. The reality of the huge increase in finances needed just to be able to tread water for another 12 months, never mind aiming for a more productive campaign, is, to be blunt, scary for Dawson.

“I am seriously concerned looking at our finances; we have always been extremely careful with our money as we have to be as a self-funded and independent club. However, year on year the pressure ramps up on what we can afford.

“Playing at tier four brings a huge amount of financial pressure from tier five, as of course, we play at national level rather than regional and the FAWNL are always striving to make the league more professional which ultimately is something that has my full support but, I do wonder how long teams like Chorley will be able to survive the cost. As you said earlier several well-established clubs have already fallen by the wayside this season.

“We run three fundraisers per season to support the club which honestly, in my opinion, is not what we should have to do at this level, but without those, we would not survive half a season. We also rely on sponsorship and subs from our reserve and development teams.”

Above: Chorley’s home ground – Coppull United’s Blainscough Park. Photo: Gibbo’s 92.

We ended our discussion pondering on whether it is inevitable that the Lionesses’ successes and the imminent World Cup will just see youngsters be exposed to the top players and go to watch the top level of the game simply because the WSL remains affordable to watch in person and it is still pretty easy to get tickets to top matches – unlike the men’s game when England have success, and increased attendances trickle down to the third and fourth tiers of the men’s game.

Dawson believes that clubs like Chorley can still prosper from increased attendances, but need to have support to improve their spectator facilities.

“I consider the club to be lucky in that we have a very loyal fan base at Chorley. We regularly get 100 supporters on a match day and considering we have no cover or seating, I think thats amazing. The FAWNL are also pretty good in terms of CPD events in regards to social media and marketing. 

“The real issue with getting people to games and to a certain extent player interest once again comes back to finance and facility. For example, if our home ground (Coppull United FC) had an upgrade in terms of undercover seating, turnstiles, repairs to car parking/fencing, grass pitch investment, I believe more people would come to games.

“They do a fantastic job at Coppull at making supporters feel welcome and at home and it’s an amazingly homely club, something we have been really fortunate to have. This is an attraction in women’s and girls’ football and when we have mascots for our home games we always get positive comments about the club, but with investment, I am sure more could be done and the profile of women’s football in the area would only get better.”

Artwork: Graphics by PW.

Big names back in town but Okino still dominates in NPLW Victoria classic

by Kieran Yap (17/5/23)

Above: Alana Jancevski back on the field for Bulleen Lions. Photo: Bulleen Lions Instagram.

Bulleen and Preston brought back some big guns and FV Emerging’s latest rising star delivered again, but it was Heidelberg United and the Boroondara-Carey Eagles that produced the most incredible match and the only win of the round.

FV Emerging 1-1 Southern United

Knox Regional Football Centre hosted the encounter between two sides in need of a win. FV Emerging have been impressive this season. Importantly, they have been difficult to beat despite facing much older and more experienced teams each week. But they entered this game with only one win so far this season.

Still, they were in a better position than the visitors. Southern United came into the round winless, they have difficulty scoring and have conceded 26 times. It made for a good opportunity for both sides to improve their record.

Southern United’s defensive woes continued early in this game, but the reason was not surprising. Alana Cortellino has been one of the breakout talents for FV Emerging this season, and she scored the opening goal in the 12th minute.

The winger has been a constant menace this season. Her acceleration with the ball and willingness to attack space without it, have seen her score three times this season, but create many other chances through crosses, or corners won.

On this occasion, she finished off the move. Candice Kilderry drove along the left flank and created space for herself to put in a dangerous low cross. Cortellino arrived at the back post to smash home the opening goal of the game.

Kilderry has been another of FV Emerging’s standout players this season. She has the ability to choose both the correct option with her passing and time the ball to perfection. As it was the previous week, Kilderry was the key to unlocking a defence.

The lead would not last. Southern United pushed for an equalizer in an entertaining first half. When Isobel Coppel intercepted a pass at halfway, she immediately put Rhiannon Kelleher into space on the right.

The cross was dangerous but did not find its target, but did find the back of the net. Ehva Gutszmit was the unlucky recipient of an own goal to her name. She was well positioned and had to stick a foot out, sometimes the ball just spins the wrong way and full credit should go to Kelleher for the quality and speed of the ball in.

The draw does not help either side too much, but there are more concerns right now for Southern United than FV Emerging. To state the obvious, they need to find a way to score more goals. They face South Melbourne next week, in another tough test.

South Melbourne 1-1 Calder United

Calder United welcomed back Raquel Derales and Natasha Dakic from Western United for their trip to South Melbourne. The home side included Francesca Iermano following her stint at the same A-League Women club.

Before the round, South Melbourne were in fourth place, and starting to steadily improve. Calder have struggled for results, but performances have been positive. Young midfielder Bella Sewards has been very consistent while Fiorina Iaria has often shown flashes of match-winning potential.

For all of Calder’s inclusions this week, South Melbourne has Danielle Wise. The Golden Boot winner of 2022, is a threat from every half chance, long ball forward or in this case defensive error.

It was Elle Talevski’s under-hit back pass that gave Wise the opening she needed. The striker raced onto the ball and although she was pushed wide by the defence. Wise was able to square it to Janna Lawson to give South Melbourne the lead in the ninth minute.

Wise had the chance to double the lead close to halftime. She got in behind the Calder defence and controlled well before hitting a half volley at goal. The opportunity was denied with a good close-range save by Natalie Picak.

It would be a costly miss, as Calder equalised before the break. Sewards and Iaria linked up to win a corner for the visitors. Sewards’ delivery caused chaos in the box and the ball was eventually thrashed home with a well-placed Keiwa Hieda strike.

The draw was enough to see South Melbourne move up a spot on the ladder with a game in hand over second-place Alamein. Calder stay in the bottom half in eighth position but will add Alana Cerne back into the squad soon. The Western United star scored in both cup finals for Calder United last season and is currently with the Australian Under 23 side. She will greatly improve their chances for the rest of the season.

Bulleen Lions 1-1 Preston Lions

Caitlin Friend’s Bulleen side boasted some big-name recruits for their match against Preston Lions on Monday night.

Alana Jancevski, Paige Zois, and Tiffany Eliadis returned to the club following their seasons with Perth Glory and Melbourne Victory. The newly recruited Grace Taranto was also named in the squad. The Canberra United midfielder starred for South Melbourne last season and is an impressive addition to the team.

Tyla Jay Vlajnic was announced mid-week but was not on the team sheet, and there is a strong possibility more A-League Women’s players will join the club as they seek to climb the ladder.

Headlining the new signings and starting up front is former Melbourne Victory fan favourite Maja Markovski. The possibility of her and Jancevski linking up is a thrilling prospect for fans and neutrals.

Bulleen have been organized this season, and youngster Rosie Rodger has been creative in attack, but until now the side has lacked a strong finisher up front. They have scored many of their goals through forward pressure or well-worked set pieces.

Preston have begun the season stronger than Bulleen and named Emma Checker in the side for her first appearance of the season. The Matildas’ defender was in excellent form as the home side dominated the attack for much of the game.

The new signings did not gel immediately but still looked dangerous. When Zois was introduced off the bench, the attacking passes looked more fluid and dynamic.

Despite the game being largely played on their terms, Bulleen could not break the Checker led defence, and Preston took a surprise lead late in the second half.

Paula Mitchell was the architect and the scorer. She first fed the ball outside to Delaney Lindahl who’s quick footwork created space for the cross.

It was headed clear, but Mitchell was on hand to follow spectacularly up on the volley and give Preston the lead in the 87th minute.

Bulleen’s intensity increased, but remarkably their composure did not wane. They continued to attack until they forced a dramatic late equaliser. The injury time equaliser may have broken Preston hearts, but it was well deserved and all four new names were involved.

Grace Taranto won the ball in typical style. Markovski and Zois combined to get the ball wide to Jancevski. After a clever change of direction and a hard hit cross. Bulleen had a late corner kick.

Zois stepped up to take it and delivered it to the head of Alana Burn. The ball flew into the far bottom corner and Caitlin Friend could breathe a sigh of relief on the sidelines.

Alamein 2-2 Bayside United

Alamein’s draw with Bayside United means that they stay in second place on the ladder after nine games. Most impressively, the two goals scored takes the sides tally to 17 in that time, making them the third-highest-scoring side in the league behind Boroondara-Carey and Heidelberg United.

This was a match between two adventurous teams, and it was Bayside who struck first through Miwa Sasaki. The visitors moved the ball slickly through midfield before the star forward took aim from long range. The shot flew over the goalkeeper and into to net for one of the best strikes of the round.

Bayside extended their lead soon after. Olivia Bomford played it out to Kayla Deaver who did not hesitate to strike on sight despite the tough angle.

Alamein hit back in incredible style. Sasaki and Ashleigh Le Fevre got the ball to Elaina Vatcky in the penalty area. With her back to goal and while closely marked, Vatcky improvised by flicking the ball in the air and scoring with an incredible overhead kick to make it 2-1 before halftime.

Vatcky scored the equaliser in the 73rd minute under bizarre circumstances. An Alamein attack trickled to the feet of Bayside goalkeeper Coco Majstorovic who elected to time waste with the ball at her feet.

The incident can be charitably described as a brain fade. As she bent down to pick it up, Vatcky raced in and prodded it into the net. No amount of replays could make it clearer what the goalkeeper was thinking, and it was an unfortunate way to concede a goal. Not that Alamein FC will be complaining. They had pushed hard for a second goal, and deserved it, no matter how odd the circumstances.

With both sides scoring an incredible goal each, but also having a player sent off (Rebbca Saber for Alamein and Elsa Sousa for Bayside), a draw felt like the right result.

Heidelberg United 4-5 Boroondara-Carey Eagles

The newly promoted Boroondara-Carey Eagles have been one of the surprise packages so far this season, they travelled to the Olympic Village to test themselves against the resurgent Heidelberg United and named Brisbane Roar and former Melbourne City attacker Margot Robbine in the team to partner to irrepressible Kurea Okino.

Heidelberg were coming off a 6-1 win in round eight, and a win against the top side would be a big moment in their climb up the ladder. Even if the three points were expected by the home crowd, they knew it would not be easy.

The Eagles started stronger and took the lead in the 19th minute. Okino charged forward from a wide area and forced Melissa Maizels into a strong save. There was nothing the Heidelberg goalkeeper could do to prevent the follow-up and after Robbine’s effort fell to the feet of Mawa Sumaoro it was 1-0 to the visitors.

Boroondara’s second goal came after a long ball in midfield. A surge of pace saw Rebecca Lim beat Maizels to the ball before outrunning both Heidelberg defenders to tap it over the line. Both goals were finished in scrappy style, but Boroondara have been dangerous from relatively innocuous situations all season. They have done this too often for it to be fluke.

Heidelberg would not go down easily though, and unlikely as it seemed at the time they went into the break two goals up. That is what they offer their fans, they are always in the contest.

Last round Nicole Blackett scored a hat trick against Southern United. With Heidelberg two goals down at home, it was Georgia Beaumont’s time to shine with three of her own.

Straight from the kick-off, a long ball found Steph Galea. Her shot was saved but bobbled loose and when the Eagles’ defence hesitated, Beaumont did not. She bundled the ball home to give Heidelberg a lifeline.

A surging run and shot down the left minutes later provided Beaumont with her second. The striker pounced on the ball after it bounced off the goalkeeper. Beaumont reacted first and remained composed to make it 2-2.

A Tijan Mckenna through ball set up Beaumont for her third. The pass split the defence and Beaumont unleashed as she reached it for the best of the goals so far that night. 3-2 to Heidelberg.

Melbourne Victory winger Ava Breidis set up the final goal of the half. A strong run down the right resulted in a perfectly hit cross for Galea to nod home at the back post. After going down by two goals. Heidelberg went into halftime with a 4-2 lead against the league leaders.

Boroondara were not finished though. In the 58th minute, Margot Robbine raced through on goal and rounded Maizels only to be taken out by the goalkeeper. Okino dispatched the penalty kick with no issue.

Robbine scored her first for the season when she forced home a corner kick in the 65th minute. The ball fell amid a mess of players, and after an attempted clearance, she poked it into the net from close range.

At 4-4, it looked like the game might end in stalemate, despite several good chances crafted by Heidelberg and a long-range shot that narrowly missed.

In the end, Okino scored an 89th-minute winner. Heildelberg’s attempt to play short from a goal-kick fell prey to Boroondara’s press. When the ball fell to the league’s leading scorer it felt inevitable that she would score her 14th in seven games.

It was an unlucky way for Heidelberg to lose, but Boroondara forced the chance to happen with three players pressing two defenders and a goalkeeper. In any other game, the Bergers’ four goals would be enough to win. Their comeback to lead after conceding the first two is remarkable and only a minor change or a lucky bounce of the ball would have meant a win for the home side.

But Boroondara won a classic game in the end. They responded to an amazing comeback by staging an even better one of their own. Okino is the league’s in-form player at this moment. She is fast, strong, direct, and works hard defensively. The Japanese striker occupies multiple defenders and is a decisive finisher.

This was a statement win by The Eagles, they are in this NPLW season to win it. The Robbine and Okino partnership has already provided three goals directly, with both having a hand in another.

This win will give them infinite belief.

Norfolk Weekly Wrap

Darrell Allen provides his weekly round-up of all the women’s football action in Norfolk, including the county’s seven-a-side action (16/5/23).

Above: Frances Peeling (blue shirt) battling hard in King’s Lynn Town’s 5-0 defeat to AFC Sudbury at The Walks. Photo: Richard Brown.

Eastern Region Premier Division

In their final game of the season, Wroxham were 3-0 winners over Royston Town. Hannah Waters scored a hat-trick to round off an encouraging end to the season for Joe Simpson’s team which saw them achieve a sixth-place finish.

Not such a happy final day for King’s Lynn Town who were beaten 5-0 at home by AFC Sudbury – a victory that confirmed the league title for them. Sophie Jeffery scored a brace with the other goals for the visitors coming from Miagh Downey, Holly Kennard, and Ashtyn Newley.

Above: Dussindale and Hellesdon captured after winning the Norfolk Women and Girls’ League Cup Final vs the University of East Anglia. Photo: Ben Cunningham.

Norfolk Women and Girls’ League Cup Final

Dussindale and Hellesdon beat the University of East Anglia 5-1 to win the Norfolk Women and Girls League Cup. Victoria Leyer, Georgina Belton, Abbi Nobbs, Phoebe Green, and Abby Hutchin got the goals with Ella Burnley scoring for UEA.

Norfolk Women and Girls’ Plate Cup Final

In an all-Mulbarton Belles affair, Mulbarton Belles First XI defeated Mulbarton Belles Development 6-0. Rebekah Lake scored four, with Sophie Jermy and Laura Hedtke adding one each.

Above: Mulbarton Belles celebrate winning the Norfolk Women and Girls Plate Cup with a 6-0 win over their own Development side. Photo: SG Photography.

Norfolk Women and Girls Sevens Cup Final

Another title for Mulbarton Belles as they defeated Taverham 1-0 thanks to a goal from Alice Ladbrooke.

Norfolk Women and Girls’ League Division One

Bungay Town and Caister played out a thrilling 3-3 draw at Maltings Meadow. Zoe Cossey hit the back of the net twice for Bungay with Lauren Goulder getting the other. Leah Brown, Ellie Hills, and Ellie Blaxell got the Caister goals.

Norfolk Women and Girls’ League Division Two

King’s Lynn Soccer Club won 3-1 at North Walsham Town – Jordan Turner scoring two and Viktorija Burkauskaite one. Kiera Brown was North Walsham Town’s goalscorer.

A Lacey Andrews hat-trick saw Shrublands beat Horsford 3-2, with Horsford’s goals coming from Maisie Nichols and Tilly Thrower.

Above: Mulbarton Belles celebrate winning the Sevens Cup after beating Taverham 1-0. Photo: SG Photography.

The View From France

Jean-Pierre Thiesset summarizes the final of Coupe de France and comments the departure of Olympique Lyonnais President Jean-Michel Aulas. Plus, photos of Ellie Carpenter courtesy of Pauline Figuet who was pitch side (16/5/23).

Above: Olympique Lyonnais, Winner of their 10th Coupe de France 2-1 against Paris St.Germain. Photo: Damien LG, Olympique Lyonnais.

Olympique Lyonnais 2-1 Paris St. Germain

Lyon were dominant from the start and applied constant pressure. Ada Hegerberg confirmed that she is definitely ‘back’ by scoring twice (on 12 and 24 minutes), both from decisive passes by Danielle van de Donk, who was likewise outstanding.

Above: Ada Hegerberg celebrating one of her 2 goals with Selma Bacha and Danielle Van De Donk (17) who delivered the 2 decisive passes to Ada. Photo: Damien LG, Olympique Lyonnais.

Gérard Prêcheur, Paris SG coach, tried to change the momentum of the game on 32 minutes and replaced Amalie Vangsgaard with 19-year-old Laurina Fazer. This seemed to have an impact as PSG improved their game and Ramona Bachmann converted a 36th minute penalty following Selma Bacha’s foul on Ashley Lawrence.

The second half was more even and both teams had opportunities to score but neither could put the ball in the net. On 86 minutes, Damaris Egurrola was sent off following a second yellow card in 10 minutes. After being the first women to win the D1 Championships and UWCL as a player and as a coach, Sonia Bompastor can now add being the first woman to win the Coupe de France as a player and as a coach.

Above: Jean-Michel Aulas and Ada Hegerberg at the end of the game. Photo: Icon sport.

Jean-Michel Aulas was at the game as Lyon’s ex-President (he was replaced by Michele Kang last week) and Lyon’s players dedicated their victory to him. Following the game, both the celebrating players and fans chanted “Jean-Michel Aulas, We won this Cup for you” bringing a lot of emotion to Aulas after 36 years at the head of Olympique Lyonnais.

Above: Michele Kang (center), new boss of Olympique Lyonnais Women Football. Photo: Le Progrès, Norbert Grisay.

Lyon’s players have also said that they want to win the D1 Arkema Championship for both him and the new president Michele Kang when they play PSG in Paris. Kang, an American businesswoman who now owns the Washington Spirit NWSL team, as well as Olympique Lyonnais, was present in Orléans for this final and received her first trophy as Women Olympique Lyonnais team President.

Photos of Ellie Carpenter playing in the Coupe de France Final supplied to Impetus by Pauline Figuet:

Blayney names Young Matildas squad for Asian Cup Qualifiers

16/5/23

Above: Young Matildas head coach Leah Blayney, who named her squad for next month’s vital qualifiers today. Photo: Football Australia.

Leah Blayney has named a 23-player squad as the Young Matildas continue their 2024 AFC U-20 Women’s Asian Cup qualifying campaign in Vietnam next month. 

The Round Two Qualifiers have seen Australia drawn in Group A alongside hosts Vietnam, Iran, and Lebanon with the matches to be played between 3rd and 11th June 2023. 

For the two top nations, the prize will be qualification for the 2024 AFC U-20 Women’s Asian Cup to be held in Uzbekistan from 3rd–16th March 2024. 

Two changes have been made to the squad that progressed to Round Two. Australia is boosted by the return of Melbourne City FC defender Naomi Chinnama after injury kept her out of the Round 1 fixtures. Meanwhile, recent A-League Women’s revelation Indiana Dos Santos joins her older sister Jynana in the U-20 national team for the first time. 

Eighteen players featured in the recent A-League Women’s season including four from 2023 Premiers and Champions, Sydney FC. Six different Member Federations are featured including several players from regional Australia and five players are currently participating in the U-23 training camp in Brisbane.

Young Matildas’ head coach Leah Blayney said: “This squad recognises the players who not only performed for us in the Round One Qualifiers but also those who have recorded consistent performances in the recent A-League Women’s season.”

Above: Perth Glory’s Tijan McKenna, one of the players selected by Leah Blayney today for the Young Matildas squad. Photo: Perth Glory.

“It was once again a challenging decision as the quality of players across the nation is continuing to increase as witnessed from our scouting at national team training camps, the National Premier Leagues, and Elite Matches.

“We have worked to ensure we have a good balance across the squad not just in terms of positional depth, but also in finding the best combinations, whose player profiles best match our playing style.”

The 23 players and staff will assemble for a domestic camp in Sydney from 22nd May before departing for Phu Tho, Vietnam. 

Australia will open their fixtures against Lebanon at Việt Trì Stadium before days later taking on Iran. Their Group A round-robin matches will be completed in front of a vocal home crowd against Vietnam.

“The progression of this group has been pleasing but we are all mindful that there will be an increase in intensity for Round Two, with all nations acutely aware that AFC U-20 Women’s Asian Cup qualification is on the line,” Blayney continued. 

“These matches will see us face teams with good technical foundations, that will be well organised defensively and provide active threats going forward. Internally our focus will be negating their strengths while diversifying our own style to continue adding more dimension to our game,” she concluded. 

Young Matildas Squad for second round AFC U-20 Women’s Asian Cup Qualification:
NAME POSITION CLUB | MEMBER FEDERATION
AlexiaAPOSTOLAKISDefenderBankstown City Lions FC on loan from Western Sydney Wanderers FC| Football NSW
AvaBRIEDISMidfielderHeidelberg United FC | Football Victoria
ClaudiaCICCOForwardAPIA Leichhardt FC | Football NSW
IndianaDOS SANTOSMidfielderFootball NSW Institute on loan from Sydney FC | Football NSW
JynayaDOS SANTOSForwardFootball NSW Institute on loan from Sydney FC | Football NSW
GemmaFERRISDefenderBulls FC Academy | Football NSW
TahliaFRANCOGoalkeeperFootball NSW Institute | Football NSW
DanielaGALICMidfielderFuture Matildas NSW | Football NSW
SashaGROVEForwardCanberra United FC | Capital Football
ShayHOLLMANMidfielderAPIA Leichhardt FC on loan from Sydney FC | Football NSW
KahliJOHNSONForwardManly United FC | Football NSW
ZaraKRUGERMidfielderLions FC | Football Queensland
ChloeLINCOLNGoalkeeperCanberra United FC | Football NSW
MayaLOBODefenderMacarthur Rams | Football NSW
TijanMCKENNADefenderHeidelberg United FC | Football West
AlanaMURPHYMidfielderBlacktown Spartans FC | Football Victoria
EmiliaMURRAYForwardNorthern Tigers FC | Football South Australia
JessikaNASHDefenderBulls FC Academy | Football NSW
EllaO’GRADYForwardFootball Queensland-QAS | Football Queensland
SiennaSAVESKAForwardFootball NSW Institute | Football NSW
AnikaSTAJCICForwardFootball NSW Institute | Football NSW
NaomiTHOMAS-CHINNAMADefenderBlacktown Spartans FC | Football Victoria
GraceWILSONGoalkeeperSA NTC | Football South Australia

Kerr-fect! Chelsea’s experience reaps rewards over United

Impetus’ coverage of the 2023 FA Cup Final is brought to you by Nathan Edwards from the Wembley press box with Ben Phillips‘ exclusive photography from pitchside (15/5/23)

Above: Match winner Sam Kerr with the FA Cup after the match yesterday. Photo: Ben Phillips for Impetus.

Chelsea 1-0 Manchester United

Sam Kerr continued to deliver in the vital moments to give Chelsea their third successive FA Cup title, as Emma Hayes praised this her side for their ability to dig out results no matter the circumstances.

Chelsea once again showed their experience to battle past a brave Manchester United side, who made their first-ever appearance at Wembley.

Despite Chelsea’s wealth of riches and trophies, it was United who started the game off on the front foot, and with just 23 seconds on the clock, looked to have taken the lead, only for Leah Galton’s prod to be ruled out for offside.

It set the theme for the first half, as Marc Skinner’s side battled through any pre-game nerves to put Chelsea on the back foot.

Their front four was fluid and enjoying their afternoon under the arches, with Nikita Parris cutting in from her opposed left flank, but struggled to move Ann-Katrin Berger.

Above: Manchester United’s Nikita Parris in the thick of the action with the Chelsea defence. Photo: Ben Phillips for Impetus.

For all their freedom, United struggled to break past Berger with the Chelsea shot-stopper even managing to stick out a hand to stop a deflected Russo shot.

United failed to punish Chelsea’s laboured first half, with boss Hayes quickly flexing her bench by bringing on the in-form Pernille Harder and Sophie Ingle who changed the game completely.

Away from the scoresheet, Ingle’s ability to starve United’s midfield was a key to Chelsea managing their lead. Harder’s influence came to combat the way United head coach Marc Skinner had set his side up – his plan was to to have a player always on Kerr, so when Harder came on, the space for the Danish striker allowed her to cause danger behind The Red Devils’ defence.

Her first chase in behind was easily defended, but the former Wolfsburg star was given another opportunity to punish, and she made no mistake. Harder raced away from the United pack and delivered a cross that was poked in by Kerr who notched her 10th goal in seven English club cup finals.

Similar to the semi-final, Kerr was managed well but once she netted her influence on the game grew. The Western Australian skipped away from Ona Batlle to set up Ingle, who buried her shot deep into a small section of the 77,390 record-breaking crowd.

Above: Scenes of joy as Sam Kerr’s backflip marks her winning goal. Photo: Ben Phillips for Impetus.

After their first-half performance, Chelsea managed to battle through any physical strain and tiredness that would be bought on by a heavy schedule across three different competitions.

Speaking afterwards, Hayes praised her sides mentality saying: “I felt tired on the touchline. For that reason, it’s even more impressive. The team can dig and dig when we physically weren’t at our best.”

“It was hard. Manchester United made it so hard. They will continue to push, they are a wonderful football team. But this is a victory for grinding. Hard work for me matters, and we can absolutely roll our sleeves up with the best of them and hang in there.

“What the team has become is the most flexible team. Our team has become hybrid monsters. We can float between things in ways that takes years to master. They are so adaptable.

“When I have to sit at home alone and think about the work we do every day and the sacrifices we all make, I know I have given my whole life to it. No matter what, I have given it everything.

Above: Leah Galton in possession for Manchester United. Photo: Ben Phillips for Impetus.

“I’m still the kid in Camden who has had an absolute ride of a time. I’m never tired of this. I can cry about it. I hope Chelsea fans had a little bit of joy. The whole club – the owners included.”

As for United, to reach this level in their short history speaks about the strength of the club and the desire that is within.

Red Devils boss Skinner believes that this FA Cup heartbreak will add to that, he said: “There will be loads to take away. We started well and, considering Chelsea had been in many finals, we looked like the team that had been in many finals too.

“We were composed. It’s a different type of game in a final and you have to play with more maturity. We love to play possession-based football and sometimes you can’t do that. So, I felt we matured today. If anybody thinks we’re going away, then we’re not,” he continued.

“These are moments you have to win. We gave a good account of ourselves. We will be back again, I have no doubts about that. There will always be regrets if you don’t win a game but I think the girls were excellent. It was their first final. I can’t look back and think negatively towards them.”

Above: A reflective Manchester United head coach Marc Skinner yesterday. Photo: Ben Phillips for Impetus.

The final itself felt like it was more than a game. It felt like a moment where England women’s domestic game didn’t just move forward but broke down a barricade.

There has been a swell of support for the national team since 2019, but now the passion that has been shown to the Lionesses has taken over at the highest level of the club game, with this FA Cup final feeling like a huge marker of how big the game has grown and a catalyst for growth.

Also speaking afterwards was the FA’s head of women’s football, Baroness Sue Campbell. She said: “A lot of credit goes to all of the players and the clubs in the Barclays Women’s Super League, the Barclays Women’s Championship, and below that, but also credit to everybody that’s worked at the FA to make sure this is a reality.

“I’ve said before that we’ve come a long way, but we’ve still got an incredibly long way to go and we know that. But it’s another marker in the sand that the game in this country is now alive and well, flourishing and growing.”

Ben Phillips’ exclusive photo gallery from Wembley Stadium for Impetus:

Teams: CHELSEA (4-2-3-1): Berger, Perisset, Mjelde, Eriksson, Charles, Leupolz, Cuthbert, James, Fleming, Reiten, Kerr. Substitutes used: Harder (for Fleming 57′), Ingle (for Leupolz 57′), Carter (for Charles 72′), Buchanan (for James 88′).

Scorer: Kerr 68′.

MANCHESTER UNITED (4-2-3-1): Earps, Batlle, Le Tissier, Turner, Blundell, Zelem, Ladd, Parris, Toone, Galton, Russo. Substitutes used: Williams (for Parris 61′), Garcia (for Blundell 79′), Mannion (for Toone 79′), Thomas (for Ladd 90+1′).

Referee: Emily Heaslip.

Attendance: 77,390.